Kent Spitfires have signed another overseas player ahead of the Vitality T20 Blast – replacing a fellow South African in the squad.
Senuran Muthusamy, 32, had been due to be with Spitfires for the Blast but hasn’t been released by CSA to play because of a knee injury he has picked up. It’s still hoped Muthusamy will play for Kent in Rothesay County Championship Division 2, though, after the conclusion of the Blast.
Replacing him in Kent’s T20 squad is batting all-rounder Dian Forrester after he featured for Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 and the Rawalpindi Pindiz in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the last few months, playing alongside Spitfires’ T20 skipper Sam Billings in the PSL.
A big-hitting left-hander that can also bowl right-arm pace if required, Forrester has a career T20 batting average of 35.84 and a strike rate of 140.7.
Forrester, 25, said: “I’m really excited to be playing for Kent in the Vitality Blast.
“Talking to Sam Billings and Justin Kemp about the history of the club and how they love it made me also want to be part of that history, and write my own this summer.
“I can’t wait to play in front of packed crowds at Canterbury and give my best.”
Forrester is also a part of the South Africa A white-ball squad that is touring the UK and he will be available for Kent around those commitments. It’s expected he will miss two Vitality Blast fixtures – on June 7 against Sussex Sharks at Hove and as Spitfires take on Essex at Chelmsford two days later – but will be available for all other fixtures.
Australian seamer Tom Rogers has arrived in Canterbury for the start of the 2026 Blast and South African bowler Keith Dudgeon is also available for Spitfires in the Blast this summer. ECB Regulations state a team may have a squad including three overseas players, with two permitted in a playing XI.
“We’re delighted to welcome Dian into our squad for the Vitality Blast,” added director of cricket Simon Cook.
“He’s an exciting player to watch and will be a bit of a differential for us with his left-handed batting, as well as providing another seam option with the ball.
“When it became clear to us that Sen could miss the Vitality Blast, I’m pleased that we’ve acted quickly to secure Dian’s services, as well as signing Jake Lintott for the tournament, too.
“We’re still very much looking forward to welcoming Sen for the back-end of the Rothesay County Championship this season and we remain in close contact with Cricket South Africa.”
Kent, scheduled to be in red-ball action against Durham at Beckenham from Friday, will begin their Blast campaign against Middlesex at Lord’s next Friday.
